POEMS ON HIV AIDS

By Tikum Mbah Azonga

ABSTINENCE
(How to avoid it)

I don’t have sex anymore
And I won’t have it, I mean
Until I’m married
And even so, only with my husband.

I’m scared of having a sore
I don’t like being a skeleton one bit
Simply because in life I hurried
Please, AIDS, I’m no man’s land.

© Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga, Published in ‘Say No To AIDS’, 2006, Editions de La Ronde, Yaoundé

BEWARE
(A big threat)

AIDS is real like a pain
It’s cunning like a fox
As deadly as death
As uninspiring as an infectious disease
And as sure as fate
So, beware.

© Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga,Published in ‘Say No To AIDS’, 2006, Editions de La Ronde, Yaoundé


THE COST
(Ultimate sacrifice)

The price of sex is heavy
And the hidden charges even heavier
Once incurred, they become an albatross
Which must be paid with life.
Is it really worth it?

© Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga,Published in ‘Say No To AIDS’, 2006, Editions de La Ronde, Yaoundé










RISK
(Trappings of the easy life)

One moment of fun
Can be a lifetime of sorrow
Then you see no more sun
And have no more tomorrow.

© Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga,Published in ‘Say No To AIDS’, 2006, Editions de La Ronde, Yaoundé


KILL
(Trust no one)

The one you love
Can be the one who kills you
Because he rushed you
And you rushed him.

© Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga,Published in ‘Say No To AIDS’, 2006, Editions de La Ronde, Yaoundé


LIFE
(Avoiding AIDS)

Avoid HIV IADS
Abstain from sex before marriage
If married, stick to partner
Choose life, not death.

© Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga,Published in ‘Say No To AIDS’, 2006, Editions de La Ronde, Yaoundé


NO AIDS
(Love or death?)

You say you love me
Is it me or my body?
If it’s me, my body waits
If it’s my body, I wait
No IDS, please.

© Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga,Published in ‘Say No To AIDS’, 2006, Editions de La Ronde, Yaoundé








DO YOUR TEST
(I did my test)

My name is Anybody
Not because I doubt that AIDS exists
But because I have come face-to-face with it
I have rubbed shoulders with it
And I live with it
Keeping it under control.

I did my AIDS test
By being pushed, not by jumping
But I did it
And today I am happy I know my status
And can control it
Have you done yours?

© 2009 Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga,Published in ‘Say No To AIDS’, 2006, Editions de La Ronde, Yaoundé


DANCE
(Voice of a sufferer)

Dance little brother, dance
Dance for me
The down and out
Dance for me to seer
Let me see before I die
Dance your last dance for me
Give me my last number
Make it big and memorable
So I can tell the tale to Dad.

Dance little brother, dig it
Alas the referee has blown me out
I lie off the touchline
Injured, fractured, hurt, humiliated, ashamed
My limbs have given way
They have let me down
Is this me, Big Boy Moukoko?
Why am I reduced to this?
Yet, like a man I must go
I must bite the dust
So I wait for that moment.

© Author: Tikum Mbah Azonga,Published in ‘Say No To AIDS’, 2006, Editions de La Ronde, Yaoundé